How to Paint a Plywood Door

Primer is essential when painting a plywood door.

Plywood doors have gained popularity with homeowners because of the substantial cost savings in comparison to hardwood doors. Plywood doors are sturdy and extremely durable because the material is layered to add strength to the door. Plywood must be properly prepared and primed to ensure that the paint adheres to the wood. Do the preparation work to avoid a flaking, peeling paint job. Sand the plywood door and apply two coats of a top quality primer. Follow with a top quality semi-gloss enamel paint to ensure a smooth, durable paint finish.

1

Cover the floor with a dropcloth. Remove the doorknob from the plywood door using a screwdriver.

2

Remove the door from the hinges by placing the tip of a screwdriver at the bottom of the hinge pin. Tap the handle end of the screwdriver with a hammer to remove the pin. Repeat this step to remove all hinge pins.

3

Set up two sawhorses. Lay the door across the sawhorses. Set one sawhorse under each end of the door to ensure that the weight is evenly distributed.

4

Fill all holes in the door with vinyl spackling using a putty knife.

5

Sand the plywood door using 150-grit sandpaper. Sand both sides and the edges of the door. Wipe the sanding dust off the door using a clean cloth.

6

Apply a thin coat of primer onto the door. Work in sections that are small enough to be covered with one load of the roller, repeating sections until the entire surface of the door has been primed.

7

Roll the edges of the door with primer. Allow the primer to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer. Apply a second coat of primer. Allow the primer to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.

8

Turn the door over and repeat this process to prime the opposite side.

9

Sand the door again using 220-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough areas. Wipe the sanding dust off the door using a clean cloth.

10

Apply a coat of semi-gloss enamel paint to the door using a new, 6-inch foam roller. Work in sections that are small enough to be covered with one load of the roller. Repeat until the entire door has been covered with a thin coat of paint. Roll the edges of the door with paint.

11

Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours to give it adequate time to cure. Apply a second coat of paint. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours.

12

Turn the door over and repeat this process to paint the opposite side. Allow the paint to cure for 24 hours.

13

Replace the doorknob. Hang the door and replace the hinge pins.

Things You Will Need

Dropcloth

Screwdriver

Sawhorses

Putty knife

Vinyl spackling

150-grit sandpaper

6-inch foam rollers

Paint tray

Primer

220-grit sandpaper

Semi-gloss enamel paint

Painter's tape (Optional)

Angled paintbrush (Optional)

Tip

Use paintable spackling to fill holes.

5 gallon buckets can be used in the place of sawhorses.

Do not attempt to put the primer or paint on too thick. The second coat of primer or paint will fill in any thin areas visible from the first coat.